Whether you are a resident Okie or are considering moving to the "Sooner State," scholarships in Oklahoma will go a long way towards helping your reach your educational and professional goals.

While the majority of the state lies in the Great Plains with vast prairies and mesas, there are more than 30 public and private universities concentrated in Oklahoma's metropolitan areas to provide unparalleled academic opportunities in the Midwest. Within one of the fastest growing economies in the United States, earning a degree in Oklahoma can help you get on the right track towards entering the booming gas, agricultural, aviation, energy, telecommunications, and biotechnology industries.

Without further ado, the following are 25 of the best scholarships available specifically for covering tuition costs within Oklahoma.

1. Amos T. Hall Scholarship Fund

Deadline: April 18th

Sponsored by the Northeastern Oklahoma Black Lawyers Association, the Amos T. Hall Scholarship Fund is administered through the Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF) to provide $1,000 annual awards to deserving minority law students who are currently attending one of the approved Oklahoma law schools full-time. Future lawyers will be chosen based on academic performance, dedication to public service, strong moral character, and promise for strengthening the legal profession.

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2. Bob R. Williams Scholar-Athlete Scholarships

Deadline: January 15th

Annually, the Oklahoma Coaches Association awards eight Bob R. Williams Scholar-Athlete Scholarships statewide for $1,000 each to graduating high school senior students who have participated in school sports on the varsity level, excelled academically, and exhibited all the desirable traits of citizenship. Preference will be given to applicants who have overcome obstacles, disabilities, or injuries in order to participate in Oklahoma's high school athletics.

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3. Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

For up to $10,000 per academic year for a maximum of four years, the Carolyn Watson Opportunities Scholarship is presented through the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) to exceptional graduating seniors from rural state high schools who demonstrate exceptional ability in the arts and humanities, science and engineering, or community leadership. Eligible candidates must demonstrate financial need, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher, and be pursuing specific educational goals at the university level.

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4. C.W. and Frances Aneshansley Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

The Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma will grant the C.W. and Frances Aneshansley Scholarship annually for up to $3,000 to active members of a Catholic parish in the Archidiocese of Oklahoma City who are pursuing an undergraduate degree full-time from any public or private university within the state. Applicants must submit a copy of official ACT/SAT scores, official transcripts, parents' federal income tax returns, and a letter of recommendation from a pastor.

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5. Dr. Connie Van Fleet Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 21st

In honor of the former chair of the Oklahoma Library Association, the Dr. Connie Van Fleet Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually for up to $1,000 for current members who are enrolling in a graduate degree program related to library sciences. Qualified applicants must be Oklahoma residents, be currently employed in an Oklahoma library, hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, and have at least one semester of studies remaining.

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6. Edith Gaylord Harper Memorial Gridiron Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

With the mission of ensuring a stronger future for journalism in Oklahoma, the Edith Gaylord Harper Memorial Gridiron Scholarship has been established by the Oklahoma City Gridiron Foundation to provide up to $1,400 to qualified undergraduate students pursuing a degree in a journalism or communications-related field. Applicants should submit an online application, official transcript, current resume on work experience, and sample of journalism work.

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7. George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship

Deadline: June 30th

Established by the Oklahoma State Regents in honor of the former Governor and his wife for their contributions to higher education, the George and Donna Nigh Public Service Scholarship presents $1,000 annually to Oklahoma residents who are enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree program in the state in preparation for a career in public service. Recipients must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement as evidenced by grade point average, class rank, national awards, honors, teachers' recommendations, and extra-curricular involvement.

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8. Gifted Oklahomans Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: January 10th

In partnership with the Oklahoma Association of the Gifted, Creative, and Talented, the Gifted Oklahomans Foundation Scholarship is presented annually for teachers of gifted students who are interested in pursuing a master's degree in the field of gifted education. Qualified candidates must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be working or plan to work in an Oklahoma school in gifted education, and agree to participate in the spring state convention.

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9. Heartland Survivor's Educational Scholarship

Deadline: Ongoing

Through the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the Heartland Survivor's Educational Scholarship has been created to provide up to $3,000 annually to dependent children of individuals who were killed or injured in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. Recipients may use the funding to cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board for undergraduate study anywhere in the U.S. or graduate study in Oklahoma.

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10. Helen Elrod Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 1st

Each year, the Oklahoma Garden Club Inc. sponsors the Helen Elrod Memorial Scholarship Fund to provide up to three awards for $1,500 apiece to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, landscape design, botany, biology, plant pathology, forestry, agronomy, environmental conservation, wildlife science, land management, or zoology. Students receiving the scholarships must be legal residents of Oklahoma and be studying at one of the state's accredited institutions.

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11. Jason C. Wagner Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: May 1st

Established in 2007 in memory of the life and legacy of a beloved Oklahoma attorney who strongly valued post-secondary education, the Jason C. Wagner Foundation Scholarship is presented annually for up to $3,000 to deserving graduating high school seniors residing in one of the 68 ACCO-member counties who have been accepted into an accredited institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. Recipients must exemplify the characteristics Jason had in life: integrity, kindness, and intelligence.

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12. Jeanie Ruedy Commercial Art/Graphic Design Scholarship

Deadline: October 28th

Annually, the Oklahoma City Advertising Club offers the Jeanie Ruedy Commercial Art/Graphic Design Scholarship for $2,000 to one deserving undergraduate student majoring or minoring in advertising, commercial art, or graphic design at an institution of higher learning in Oklahoma. Qualified applicants must be legal Oklahoma residents, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, submit two letters of recommendation, and agree to participate in an interview. (Also see our ranking of top cheap online graphic design degree programs.)

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13. John W. and Mary D. Nichols Scholarship

Deadline: September 16th

Since its inception in 1995, the Oklahoma Heritage Association has presented the John W. and Mary D. Nichols Scholarship for $10,000 each year to outstanding graduating high school seniors statewide who have been nominated by teachers or administrators. Selection for the non-renewable one-time award is based on applicants' demonstrated academic achievement, citizenship, leadership potential, and knowledge/appreciation for Oklahoma's state history.

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14. Justin Whitefield Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: December 12th

Through the Oklahoma Youth Expo, the Justin Whitefield Memorial Scholarship is presented annually for $5,000 to one graduating high school senior who is exhibiting at the year's Livestock Show and will be attending an accredited higher education institution in Oklahoma in the upcoming fall term. Participants will be evaluated based on academic performance, leadership, community service involvement, and junior agriculture program participation.

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15. Leesha Kaulana Ahuna Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: December 31st

Established to celebrate the life of an avid young musician who received a heart transplant after her heart stopped and was given the gift of 11 additional months to share her near death experience, the Leesha Kaulana Ahuna Memorial Scholarship is offered through the Communities Foundation of Oklahoma. The scholarship provides $2,000 to area homeschooled students and statewide graduating high school seniors who are organ transplant recipients and are interested in pursuing a career in medicine.

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16. May T. Henry Scholarship Foundation Awards

Deadline: April 1st

In honor of one of the most popular English teachers in the Oklahoma secondary school system who had taught for over 50 years in Tulsa until the time of her retirement, the May T. Henry Scholarship Foundation grants $1,000 awards to graduating high school seniors entering any field of study at a college, university, or technical school in Oklahoma. Recipients will be chosen based on financial need, willingness to work hard, scholastic performance, and the traits which May held in such high regard.

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17. National Guard Association of Oklahoma Scholarships

Deadline: January 31st

Annually, the National Guard Association of Oklahoma (NGAOK) presents at least 25 scholarships for up to $1,000 each to guardsmen and their dependent children who will be pursuing undergraduate and/or post-graduate studies at an accredited institution within Oklahoma. While scholarships are based on grades, community involvement, and leadership potential, preference will be given to surviving children of Oklahoma National Guard members who died as a result of combat on or after September 11, 2001.

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18. Oklahoma Engineering Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: February 15th

The Oklahoma Engineering Foundation Scholarships are awarded annually for $4,000 to graduating high school seniors who will be entering an accredited engineering program at one of the approved Oklahoma universities. Qualified applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in an engineering career, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, have an ACT math component score of 28 or above, be involved in extra-curricular activities, and show potential for completing an undergraduate engineering curriculum.

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19. Oklahoma's Promise College Scholarship

Deadline: June 30th

Administered through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Oklahoma's Promise College Scholarship is designed to cover the full-tuition costs of attending an Oklahoma public two-year college or four-year university. Eligible candidates must be Oklahoma residents, have a family federal adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, start taking college courses within three years of high school graduation, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and agree to refrain from substance abuse and criminal/delinquent acts.

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20. Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship Program

Deadline: June 30th

Also sponsored by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship Program will provide a 100% tuition waiver estimated at $2,213 for 15 credits each semester for a grand total of $17,706 over the course of four years of undergraduate studies in pursuit of a bachelor's degree. Applicants must be Oklahoma residents, be enrolled in one of the 11 participating public universities, and have an ACT composite score of at least 30 or better.

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21. Renae Washington-Lorine DuBose Memorial Scholarships

Deadline: April 4th

Established by the Oklahoma Association of Minorities in Career and Technology Education (OAMCTE), the Renae Washington-Lorine DuBose Memorial Scholarships offer $1,000 to deserving minority students who plan to further their education by enrolling in a full-time program in any accredited Oklahoma Career and Technology Center. Candidates must be high school graduates or possess a G.E.D., be a member of a racial minority, meet the residency requirements of Oklahoma post-secondary institutions, and submit three recommendations.

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22. Ruthann Fairbairn Scholarship in Accounting

Deadline: March 15th

Each year, the Oklahoma Society of CPAs Educational Foundation presents the Ruthann Fairbairn Scholarship in Accounting to provide $1,000 to furthering female professionals who are enrolled in a four or five-year accredited accounting program at any Oklahoma university on a full-time basis. Eligible candidates must have completed at least 12 hours in accounting courses, be declared as an accounting major, and be pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree.

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23. Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program

Deadline: May 31st

Administered through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the Teacher Shortage Employment Incentive Program (TSEIP) is designed to reimburse eligible student loan expenses or pay an equivalent cash benefit to graduates from an accredited teacher education program in Oklahoma. Eligible candidates must receive teaching certification in math or science and agree to teach in an Oklahoma public secondary school for at least five years.

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24. Tina Willis Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: August 1st

Sponsored by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma in honor of a social worker at the Outreach Services' Youth Program who inspired countless young people, the Tina Willis Memorial Scholarship Fund bestows $1,000 annually to two deserving Choctaw student members who will be majoring in criminal justice or social work at an accredited Oklahoma institution. Applicants must compose a brief essay on why they want to obtain a degree and how they plan to contribute to the Choctaw community with a social services degree.

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25. Vic Jackson Memorial Aviation Scholarship

Deadline: September 30th

For a minimum amount of $2,000 annually, the Oklahoma Pilots Association offers the Vic Jackson Memorial Aviation Scholarship to private pilots with a current medical certificate who are planning to attend an accredited aviation school in Oklahoma to get started on a career within the aviation industry. Applicants must have resided in Oklahoma for at least six months, demonstrate financial need, be at least 18 years of age, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, and submit a recommendation from a local person working in aviation education.

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As the hefty price tag on a college education continues to rise across Oklahoma and beyond, it is important for students to take advantage of multiple sources of funding to ensure they have the monetary support needed to earn a degree. While federal loans and grants are available, they typically do not cover the entire cost of an education and can leave you with mountains of loan debt that must be repaid with interest upon graduation. If you are attending school in the "Sooner State," be sure to further investigate these 25 great scholarships in Oklahoma that can help you get on the track towards success sooner!